How much time in Fiji? I want to learn to snorkel, dive, and do other stuff

I'm in the process of planning an open-ended trip starting in Fiji and then moving onward to New Zealand, whereupon I'll probably get some more ideas on what to do next. I'm not on any particular schedule, but I do want to take advantage of Air Pacific's low rates for connecting to NZ through Fiji, since that beats buying separate tickets by a wide margin.

Objectives for Fiji, in priority order:
1. Learn to snorkel and dive, preferably at multiple sites. Would be nice to make it as far as an Open Water certification, and best if I can stay long enough to receive the C-Card after processing all the paperwork before moving on. I'm starting from nothing except knowing basic swimming -- I haven't tested how far I can do distance nowadays, but I've definitely been able to do 200m+ in a swimming pool (admittedly, a decade ago, when I was in my teens).
2. Hiking and trekking (e.g. Bouma National Park)
3. Visiting cultural sites and traditional villages
4. Relaxing in the Yasawas or Mamanucas
5. Rafting the Navua

I'd like to be able to do at least #1 and #2 with enough "slack" in the schedule to have a very high confidence in actually succeeding at that.

I'm planning to head there at the beginning of January, so I'm aware that inclement weather can be problematic and may delay some of my planned activities. Tips on what can still be done when it's raining would be appreciated.

How much time should I budget for this leg of my journey?

Edited by: BristleBrush

You need to contact some resorts in the yasawas to compare prices and estimated instruction time for diving. I might be wrong----it was ages ago, but I think the Open water PADI takes 5 days, and you get a temporary card straight away. Snorkelling takes almost no time to learn provided you are not afraid to put your face in the water and you can breathe through your mouth. Buy a mask and snorkel from a dive shop in the UK so you know it fits properly and try it out in the sink or the bath. The biggest trick (and it is not all that big) is to blow the water out of the snorkel if a choppy wave slops water down through the top of it into your mouth---you just clamp shut your teeth and blow quite hard.The snorkelling and diving at Manta Ray resort was splendid and you might consider also Blue Lagoon, because it is sheltered, at least for snorkelling. I think the Navua River trip is a one day trip from the Coral Coast, and probably even from Nadi, because if you were booked they would pick you up and drop you off. So you would need a minimum of 10 days for arriving in Nadi, getting out to the Yasawas, 7 days (or however many) for your open water plus a village visit and a rain day, and getting back to Nadi. Add a day for the Navua River and an insurance day, that's 12 days, fly to Taveuni for the Bouma walk, 13 days, (get an early flight in case the wind gets up and flight is cancelled), do the Bouma Falls walk, 14 days, add a couple, Taveuni can be very rainy, 16 days, fly back to Nadi, 17 days. I would say that's minimum. There are other good things to see and do on Taveuni and that doesn't leave a lot of chilling time in the Yasawas, but you can calculate from there how much time you need. Bring your mask and snorkel to Fiji, and if you have them and can fit them in, flippers are good to bring as well. Relax and breathe at your normal rate and you will love your snorkelling and diving. If you can afford it and don't already have a little camera, get one that is waterproof for underwater photos---Panasonic has quite a good one. You will love the photos of the coral and fish as you are snorkelling.

@graymare

Thanks for your detailed response!

I was actually hoping to learn diving on Taveuni and leave some lighter activities to the western islands, but do you suggest starting diving elsewhere first and going to Taveuni with better skills? Also, does the rain get bad enough that hiking paths would be turned into unwalkable mud for weeks at a time, or does it tend to be frequent but not continuous showers? I'd love to spend extra time on Taveuni, but if I end up there for 3 out of 4 weeks waiting things out, that could be rather frustrating.

Taveuni's Rainbow Reef is not considered a beginner diver's reef, which is why I suggested Manta Ray or Blue Lagoon. The snorkelling is lovely and right from the beach and there is shallow water for your beginning dives. I would suggest going to Taveuni with a bit of experience behind you. You can't help the weather, which may be quite rainy, especially on Taveuni, and the paths may be muddy and slippery but with a stick in each hand and a helping hand from a guide you will manage ok if you are the kind of person that goes with the flow. The paths were muddy when we were there in May/June but they were walkable. Don't know how it will be in January----might rain lots, might not be too bad----you have to decide and then take it as it comes or do Taveuni on another visit in the dry season. (It will still rain sometimes).